I stand in an empty room,
but I am not alone.
There is another I can see
looking back at me.
Her hair is the same hue,
her eyes are the same shape
Her lips are pulled up
smiling, as she sips her cup.
I gaze in wonder
at the figure across the way.
I know not who she is,
just another Ms.
I take a step towards her
and she does the same,
treading carefully across
all words are lost.
I am in her spell,
in a life-like trance.
I try to escape, dodging right,
but she blocks my flight.
I take another look around,
the room is neither large
nor is it too small
perfect size, one and all.
The floors are wooden,
the ceilings are plaster,
but it is a cold, cold room
as silent as a tomb.
I look back to the woman,
this unknown friend,
she gazes into my eyes
seeking out all my lies.
I open my mouth to speak
at the same time as she,
but no words come out
tis a silent bout.
Instead of fleeing the room
I walk towards the stranger,
she moves towards me
like she’s sensing danger.
I take a deep breath,
try to stay composed.
I stare at this woman
whose breathing hasn’t rose.
Two steps more together
brings us close to another.
I feel unsure about her,
something alien, something other.
I lift my hand and wave
at the same time as she.
I quickly stop
and so does she.
As I watch her every move
her face begins to change;
a sly grin passes her lips
as her features rearrange.
A minute or more passes,
I’m not really sure,
but her facade halts
it can move no more.
She is different yet
she is the same;
she has become more wild
but still quite tame.
Her hair is scattered
as if in a breeze,
her eyes glow slightly
as if in secret tease.
Her nails have grown,
her teeth are sharper.
Her smile is unnerving,
her dress is now pauper.
I blink once, twice
to clear the mirage,
but still she remains
like stained-glass or decoupage.
I hesitantly step forward,
she lunges towards me,
I try to jump away
but cannot seem to flee.
I am entranced by her,
this being of dark and light.
I wonder why she is here
Do we have to fight?
I look down to the floor,
hoping for inspiration,
but nothing comes
save for desperation.
An evil grin crosses
the face before me.
I can’t seem to swallow
a lump the size of a pea.
I feel the blood drain
from my extremities and face.
The world begins to fade
her outline I can trace.
I blink without warning
and the room refocuses.
The stranger is closer now,
breathing hot onto my brow.
Our dresses rustle
in discordant harmony.
Our eyes lock once more
I feel a jolt to my core.
I suddenly know.
I have become aware.
This woman I have seen,
being always rather mean.
I pushed myself forward
and careen into her body,
it is hard and unyielding
although she is not shielding.
I throw the first punch,
she responds in kind.
I feel a blinding pain
worse than the cane.
I look down at my hand
and my mouth pops open,
my blood runs out in a stream
Why isn’t this a dream?
I meet the woman’s eyes,
a stranger she is no more:
an adversary, an enemy
she will never let me be.
I launch myself again
with no more success,
but I repeat my ministrations
not stopping for libations.
She is as relentless as I
never stopping, never tiring,
both of us unwilling to stop
but finally I gain the top.
I hurl her away from me
as I hear a shattering sound,
my blood pounds in my ears
my face wet with tears.
I collapse onto the floor,
my enemy is no more.
I sit among the blood and dirt,
it seeps in, ruining my skirt.
I take in the shattered glass,
my eyes over her body pass,
She has been defeated today
in the worst possible way.
I shut my eyes
against the sight,
wishing I knew
how to tell my plight.
But I suppose this
will have to do,
may the world remember
this story true:
I faced down my worst,
the most feared enemy
and then I found the truth.
All along, it had been me.
Kat Webber 